Year of St. Joseph
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Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St. Joseph as Patron of the universal Church, Pope Francis has announced that a Year of St. Joseph will be held between December 8, 2020 and December 8, 2021.
Special Plenary Indulgences are granted throughout the Year of St. Joseph, under the customary conditions: Sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion and prayers according to the Holy Father’s intentions, with a soul detached from any sin. The specific ways the Plenary Indulgence may be gained are listed below.
The greatness of Saint Joseph is that he was the spouse of Mary and the father of Jesus. In this way, he placed himself, in the words of Saint John Chrysostom, “at the service of the entire plan of salvation”.
- Pope Francis, Patris Corde - on the 150th Anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church
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“In order to perpetuate the entrustment of the whole Church to the powerful patronage of the Guardian of Jesus, Pope Francis has established that … a special Year of Saint Joseph will be celebrated, in which all faithful, after his example, may daily reinforce their own life of faith in complete fulfilment of God’s will. All the faithful will thus have the opportunity to commit themselves, with prayer and good works, to obtain, with the help of St. Joseph, head of the heavenly Family of Nazareth, comfort and relief from the serious human and social tribulations that besiege the contemporary world today. The gift of the Indulgences that the Apostolic Penitentiary kindly bestows during the Year of Saint Joseph, through this Decree issued according to Pope Francis’ wish, will contribute greatly to the perfect accomplishment of the designated purpose.”
– The official Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary
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Plenary Indulgence
- A Man of Faith
- A Just Man
- Guardian of the Holy Family
- Worker of Nazareth
- Comfort of the Afflicted
- Patron of the Universal Church
- Hope of the sick
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A Man of Faith:
Saint Joseph, an authentic man of faith, invites us to rediscover our filial relationship with the Father: to renew our devotion to prayer, to dispose ourselves to listen and correspond with profound discernment to God’s will.
To gain the plenary indulgence: Contemplate the Lord’s Prayer for at least 30 minutes or participate in a Spiritual Retreat of at least one day which involves a meditation on Saint Joseph.
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A Just Man:
The virtue of justice, practiced by Saint Joseph in an exemplary manner and spurs us
to rediscover the value of silence, prudence and integrity in carrying out our duties, is full adherence to divine law,—which is the law of mercy.
To gain the plenary indulgence: Fulfill a corporal or spiritual work of mercy after the example of St. Joseph.
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Guardian of the Holy Family:
Saint Joseph was the guardian of the Holy Family, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the le
gal father of Jesus, and inspires all Christian families to recreate the same atmosphere of intimate communion, love and prayer that was lived by the Holy Family.
To gain the plenary indulgence: Recite the Holy Rosary as a family or an engaged couple.
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Worker of Nazareth:
Pope Pius XII instituted the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker so that “the dignity of work be recognized by all, and that it inspires social life and laws, based on the fair distribution of rights and duties.”
To gain the plenary indulgence: Daily entrust your life to the protection of Saint Joseph and invoke
his intercession, so that those in search of work may find employment and the work of all people may be more dignified.
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Comfort of the Afflicted:
Pope Francis said that the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt “shows us that God is there where man is in danger, where man suffers, where he runs away, where he experiences rejection and abandonment”.
To gain the plenary indulgence: Recite the Litany to Saint Joseph or some other prayer to Saint Joseph, for the persecuted Church and for the relief of all Christians who suffer any form of persecution.
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Patron of the Universal Church:
this year celebrates the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph being named patron of the Universal Church.
To gain the plenary indulgence: Recite a legitimately approved prayer or act of piety in honor of Saint Joseph. The Handbook of Indulgences contains two prayers (the Litany of St. Joseph and “To you, O Blessed Joseph”; they can be downloaded below) and mentions a third (the Little Office of St. Joseph)
Download here
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Hope of the Sick:
St. Joseph is comforter of the sick and patron of a happy death.
To gain the plenary indulgence: The elderly, the sick, the suffering and all those who for legitimate reasons are unable to leave their house, and who with a soul detached from any sin and with the intention to fulfil, as soon as possible, the customary conditions in their own home or wherever the impediment detains them, shall recite an act of piety in honor of Saint Joseph, faithfully offering to God their suffering and the hardships of their life.
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Ancient Prayer to St. Joseph
O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God,
I place in you all my interest and desires.
O St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession,
and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power,
I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.
O St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms;
I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.
Press Him close in my name and kiss His fine head for me
and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.
St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for me. Amen.
Please Pray for our preist and religious,
and obtain for us many more worthy one's. Amen.
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